The Power of Breathwork

Most systems in our body function automatically, without our conscious awareness. Our heart beats about 60-100 beats a minute at rest and automatically speeds up when we exercise.

Our body digests the food we eat without us thinking about it or telling it to. 

Our skin repairs and replaces itself.

Our immune system revs up and goes to work whenever it’s exposed to mutated or cancerous cells, viruses, and bacteria. 

Our hair just grows all day, every day, a little bit at a time.

But there’s one system in our body that works all the time, around the clock without our notice, BUT can also can be consciously controlled.

This system is the bridge between our conscious and unconscious mind. 

This system is the key to grounding us; it can be employed to switch our body out of a state of flight, flight, or freeze into a state of rest, calm, and safety. 

This system is our respiratory system, our BREATH. 

Did you know oxygen is the substance that allows our muscles to relax? Where lack of oxygen causes muscle tension because of the build up of lactic acid, deep breathing helps to release the tension.

Did you know that there are little receptors at the base of your lungs that signal a calming effect on your body?

So, taking long deep breaths can essentially trick your body into thinking you are safe and relaxed, even if you are feeling stressed. It does this by signaling your brain to release hormones that promote relaxation.

Breath is also the secret sauce to regulating and processing emotions.

I learned many years ago that emotions only last about 90 seconds. Breath works like a wave to help emotions wash over and through us rather than getting stuck in us, where they fester and escalate.

When we're stressed, our instinctual brain takes over prioritizing the short-term goals of safety and comfort. Deep breathing helps our thinking brain come back on line so we can make decisions that take our long-term goals and desires into account.

Breath is a tool that is available to you 24/7---wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whether you are alone or in a room with thousands of people.

You can use this tool without permission and without disturbing anyone.

Essentially, breath can be a powerful tool in living a life that feels more calm and peaceful, both physically and emotionally.

As a person who's a little more high-strung by nature, the ability to consciously control my breath has been an essential gift.

If you have never tapped into how powerful breath can be, I invite you to try some deep breathing exercises this week!